Form Norport To the White North — November 2, 2025


By Richard Hardenburg

British Salmoa Times Correspondent

Having returned briefly to Norport after my meeting in Ottawa, I found the city cloaked in the quiet anticipation of early November. Last night, the city was washed in a cool, refreshing mist, and the early hours of November 2nd found me completing my final preparations before my anticipated trip to Russia. I packed light and must have checked my carry-on a thousand times, ensuring that nothing essential had escaped me.

Going to sleep well past midnight was no excuse for rising late on the morning of my departure, nor forgoing the customary jog with the woman I call my wife. Before stepping out, I slightly opened our daughters’ door to see them sleeping deeply, their breathing soft and steady beneath the faint light filtering through the curtains.

Our route holds a beautiful monotony, though today it feels strangely silent. The air is crisp and clean—the kind that hints at frost soon to come. As we stride along the trail, crushing the fallen leaves beneath our shoes, the lights of Heroes’ Park glimmer through the branches. Even at this hour, our devoted city workers move with quiet purpose, polishing the park as though preparing a bridal princess for her radiant groom—the Sun.

As we follow the trail unnoticed, the sky turns auspicious as dawn makes its first appearance. Presently, there it is—our Chief Kitchi-Saskwa Lake.

Our city, too, has a rich history. Chief Kitchi-Saskwa was a legendary figure who united his people by the edge of this magnificent lake, which still nourishes our region with its gifts.

Precisely at 7:01 a.m., the sun rises over the land, unveiling droplets on leaves of many colors as though they had been dusted with diamonds. The colors of the season are so vibrant in Norport! I fancy the city whispers: “Godspeed, my friend—return soon.”

As the trail bends at the Old Willow—a tree whose soul has witnessed many promises—we turn toward home. As we approach, the cadence of our steps is broken by my wife’s voice.

“Come back to us.”

I cannot answer; there are no words. We continued.

Tonight, at 7:00 p.m. PT, my plane will depart Norport International Airport for Istanbul—the first leg of a remarkable journey toward the Russian Federation, where I will join the Severnaya Zemlya Expedition.

Editor’s Note:
Mr. Hardenburg departs today on assignment with the Severnaya Zemlya Expedition, where he will provide exclusive field reports for The British Salmoa Times. His correspondence will appear in forthcoming issues under the series title “Letters from the White North.”

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